Case

ABSTRACT

A case ( 1 ) for a musical instrument, in particular a stringed instrument, in particular a guitar, having means ( 3 ) for displaying the humidity inside case ( 1 ). The air temperature inside case ( 1 ) may be also be displayed by display ( 4 ), so that case ( 1 ) need not be opened to check displays for humidity and temperature inside case ( 1 ). Both humidity and temperature may be read from the same hygrometer ( 2 ) in one or more embodiments of the invention. Means may be provided by eg. a moist sponge inside case ( 1 ) to maintain air humidity inside case ( 1 ). Displays ( 3 ) and ( 4 ) may be analog or digital or both.

The invention is a case for musical instruments, preferably for guitarsor other stringed instruments, requiring a certain air humidity when thecontent or contents are stored or transported.

Guitar cases may have provision for keeping the air inside sufficientlyhumid to protect the wood of the guitar from becoming too dry. A dampsponge or other element in the case may keep the air sufficiently humid.A hygrometer may be kept inside the case to monitor the humidity. Toread the hygrometer, the case must be opened which allows the humid airto escape, which is undesirable if the guitar is not going to be played.Several cases with guitars may be stored at home or eg. in a guitar shopor warehouse. These must be opened every time the humidity in the casesis to be checked. The air may contain too much humidity for the wood orother contents. This amount of humidity should also be monitored.

It is the purpose of the invention to provide a case whose internal airhumidity, eg. percentage of relative humidity, may be checked withoutopening the case.

A hygrometer which displays the amount of air humidity inside the caseis positioned or attached inside the case in such a way that the displayshowing the air humidity can be read through an opening or openings inthe case, from outside the case, without opening the case. There mayalso be provision for showing air temperature inside the case. This isattached within the case with its display being read through an opening,from outside the case. Both humidity and temperature may be read throughthe same opening or window in one or more embodiments. Both may be readfrom the same hygrometer unit. At least one element such as eg. a dampsponge may be housed inside the case, eg. in the accessory compartment,to maintain air humidity within the case.

A transparent window or windows on the case may protect the display ordisplays from abuse and weather, allowing the display of humidity orrelative humidity to be read through the window. A cover on the case maybe provided over the display or the window, which may be opened to readthe display. The case may have an analog display or a digital, eg. LCDdisplay, or both. The display or displays may be attached to the case,separate from the hygrometer but connected to it, in one or moreembodiments. A display, eg an LCD display may, in one embodiment, beswitched from humidity to temperature.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in the descriptionand the drawing.

FIG. 1 shows a bottom view of a guitar case.

FIG. 1 shows a bottom view of guitar case 1. A hygrometer 2 havingdigital displays 3 showing air humidity and 4 showing air temperature 4inside case 1 is attached to the inside of case 1. Window 5 made oftransparent polycarbonate plastic is attached to case 1 and protectsdisplays 3 and 4 from outside influences. Hygrometer 2 is attached tothe inside of case 1 where the guitar inside case 1 does not interferewith hygrometer unit 2. A damp sponge (not shown) is stored in theaccessory compartment (not shown) in case 1 to maintain air humidityinside case 1.

1. A case, preferably a case for a musical instrument, preferably for atleast one guitar, wherein means is provided for indicating air humidityinside said case (1) without having to open said case (1) to view saidmeans for indicating said air humidity.
 2. A case as in claim 1 whereinsaid means for indicating said air humidity is activated by a hygrometer(2).
 3. A case as in claims 1 and 2 wherein said means for indicatingair humidity is at least one display (3).
 4. A case as in claims 1-3wherein said at least one display (3) is an analog display (3).
 5. Acase as in claim 1-3 wherein said at least one display (3) is a digitaldisplay (3).
 6. A case as in claims 1-5 wherein means is provided fordisplaying air temperature inside said case without opening said case.